Desire 459
you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11.29). The soul here alludes
especially to the emotional part of our being. The Lord knows that
His Own people must pass through many trials, that the heavenly
Father is going to arrange for them to be lonely and misunderstood.
As no one understands Him except the Father, so no one will
understand His disciples (v.27). Jesus knows that the heavenly Father
must permit many unpleasant occurrences to befall the believers in
order that they may be weaned from the world. He also appreciates
what the feelings in their souls will be like as they are put through
the fire. For this reason He tells them in advance to learn from Him
so that they may find rest for their emotion. Jesus is gentle: He is
able to receive any treatment from men: He joyfully accepts the
opposition of sinners. Jesus is likewise lowly: He heartily humbles
Himself: He has no ambition of His Own. The ambitious are hurt,
angry, and restless when they cannot obtain their wishes. But Christ
at all times lives gently and humbly on earth; there is consequently
no occasion for His emotion to boil and erupt. He teaches we should
learn from Him, that we should be gentle and lowly as He is. He says
for us to bear His yoke as a restraint upon ourselves. He bears a yoke
too, even the yoke of God. He is satisfied with His Father’s will
alone; as long as the Father knows and understands Him, why should
He be concerned about the opposition of others? He is willing to
accept the restrictions given him by God. He explains that we must
bear His yoke, accept His restraint, do His will, and seek no freedom
for the flesh. If this is done, then nothing can disturb or provoke our
emotion. This is the cross. If anyone is willing to receive the cross of
Christ and submit completely to the Lord, he shall find rest for his
emotion.
This is none other than a satisfied life. The Christian cherishes
nothing but God; henceforth he is satisfied with His will. God
himself has filled his desire. He regards everything God has arranged
or given, asked or charged him with, as good. If he can but follow the
will of God his heart is satisfied. He seeks his own pleasure no
longer, and not because of force but because God’s will has satisfied